Questions about starting Stelara

[Bigpapa]

Hi guys I was wondering what I should expect when I take my first stot I've been reading your post and they have been a great deal of info but other stuff I've read kind of makes me not want to take the shot I was given a 90 dose to start as my psoriasis is really bad. All info would be appreciated thx

[jiml]

Hi guys I was wondering what I should expect when I take my first stot I've been reading your post and they have been a great deal of info but other stuff I've read kind of makes me not want to take the shot I was given a 90 dose to start as my psoriasis is really bad. All info would be appreciated thx

Hi bigpapa and a big to the forum. I hope you get some answers here to your question
I am not on Stelara but Fred who runs the site is. He swears by it and is constantly singing its praises
He will im sure give you great advice when he comes back online
I can tell you you have come to the right place for support and advice
Whilst you are here waiting for responses you are welcome to browse and use the off topic section there is a lot in there including a chatting thread for discussing or talking about whatever you want.
I hope to see more of you on the forum later I will just mail Fred and tell him of your concerns
Jim

[Fred]

Hi guys I was wondering what I should expect when I take my first stot I've been reading your post and they have been a great deal of info but other stuff I've read kind of makes me not want to take the shot I was given a 90 dose to start as my psoriasis is really bad. All info would be appreciated thx

Hello Bigpapa to Psoriasis Club, you've dug out an old thread here.

The normal starting dose is 45Mg then another at week 4, followed by one shot of 45Mg every 12 weeks. (If a person is over 100 Kg they recommend 90Mg)

What exactly is concerning you about starting Stelara?

Regards.

Fred.

[Bigpapa]

Thx for getting back to me so quick guys I've read about the side effects and about people getting like rashes headaches and forgetting things is that very common I usually don't freak out about starting a new med but I don't know I kind of am on this one I don't even know if I'm writing this in the right thread sorry.

[Fred]

Thx for getting back to me so quick guys I've read about the side effects and about people getting like rashes headaches and forgetting things is that very common I usually don't freak out about starting a new med but I don't know I kind of am on this one I don't even know if I'm writing this in the right thread sorry.

No problem I have moved it to a new thread here for you so it will get noticed better.

Yes there are side effects, but there are side effects with all treatments. I sometimes felt like I had a flu type feeling after the shot sometimes, but you do get used to it and now I have no problem.

I personally wouldn't recommend taking 90Mg for your first shot unless you are way over 100Kg, I would take 45 then 45 4 weeks later as recomended.

The worst effects I have had in 4 years of use are mostly a flu like feeling and some headaches after the shot, and that was when starting and when I tried upping my dose to 90Mg. I'm now settled on 45Mg every 8 weeks and almost 100% clear, it's also helping me with psoriatic arthritis which used to be bad. It has also given me my life back.

At the end of the day you have to decide if it's worth a go. If you feel negative about it then you will undoubtedly find something wrong, but if you approach it with a positive attitude you may find it's the best thing that ever happened to you.

We are all different and what works for some may not work for others, you will always be able to find negatives about any treatment but for me Stelara has been the best thing ever in well over 35 years of psoriasis.

[Bigpapa]

Thanks for the reply I am over 100k so that's probably why I'm on the 90 dose. I know there are bad things to all meds but I guess I just had to hear it from someone else already on it I even talked to the pharmacist where I work and her told me to think about the positive not the negative and he had not read anything bad about it so this really helps I'm glad I found this place to be able to speak out about it thx

[Fred]

Thanks for the reply I am over 100k so that's probably why I'm on the 90 dose. I know there are bad things to all meds but I guess I just had to hear it from someone else already on it I even talked to the pharmacist where I work and her told me to think about the positive not the negative and he had not read anything bad about it so this really helps I'm glad I found this place to be able to speak out about it thx

OK that will be why they gave you 90, but I would still be tempted to start on 45 then 45 at week 4. Not because it will be a big problem, but I tried 90 when I went over 100Kg and it made me feel like a zombie for a couple of weeks. And as you're new to it, it may make you feel a bit like that and could put you off.

We're glad you found us too, we like meeting others and sharing.

The good thing about trying Stelara is if you feel it's not for you then you can just stop using it and try something else, I've been through all the Bio's and this the longest I've been on one (over 4 years) The worst problem I've ever had was a reaction to Humira, but it was soon sorted after a week in hospital taking it easy with nice baths and creams.

So I would say give it a go, I'm sure you will be fine.

[Bigpapa]

Yeah I've been on Enbrel and humira and methotrexate as well but I have not had any reactions as of yet so I hope all goes well with stelara.

[Caroline]

Yeah I've been on Enbrel and humira and methotrexate as well but I have not had any reactions as of yet so I hope all goes well with stelara.

Welcome to the forum Bigpapa,
I wish you success with your first shot.
Keep us posted on how you feel and do.
This forum "lives" by its users and their experiences. Yours may be a very valuable one.

Cheers,
Caroline

[Fred]

Yes Caroline is right it's people like you Bigpapa that makes Psoriasis Club what it is.

I've just been looking around and found a thread you may be interested in reading, it's about Amy who started on Stelara back in June. Unfortunately she hasn't been back to update since October but it may give you an insight from another newbie to Stelara. I have sent Amy a PM to see if she has a moment to reply as it may help.

You can find Amy's thread here: Starting Stelara

Also this post has all the info about Stelara and what to look out for: Stelara (ustekinumab)